RELEASE: CAP’s Jessica O’Connell Named Executive Director of EMILY’s List, Lindsay Hamilton Named Chief of Staff of the Center for American Progress

Washington, D.C. — The Center for American Progress announced today that Chief of Staff and Senior Vice President Jessica O’Connell will be leaving her role at CAP to become the executive director of EMILY’s List.

“I am thrilled to see Jess take on a leadership role at EMILY’s List, where she will be building on her efforts at CAP and working for progressive change,” said CAP President Neera Tanden. “Jess has always had a deep commitment to ensuring that women are equally represented at all levels of government, and her management and leadership skills will be invaluable at EMILY’s List as she continues to fight for more opportunities for women.”

Before taking on the role of Chief of Staff and Senior Vice President, O’Connell spent two years successfully managing CAP’s business, operational, and personnel matters as the Center’s Senior Vice President for Operations.

Prior to joining CAP, O’Connell was the national field director at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, where she helped organize influential statewide networks of more than 400 nongovernmental organizations, academic institutions, Fortune 500 companies, and think tanks on international affairs budget issues. Previously, O’Connell served as the national director of operations for Hillary Clinton for President from 2007 to 2008, where she managed daily operations at the headquarters and helped the presidential campaign grow from 10 people in two states to more than 1,500 staff in more than 400 offices nationwide.

Throughout her career, O’Connell has helped elect U.S. federal and statewide political candidates throughout the country and raised millions of dollars for progressive issues, candidates, and causes, including work in development positions with EMILY’s List and the Children’s Defense Fund. She is also the founder of Youth Trek, an organization that works with youth in Washington, D.C., to promote the character development and self-discovery of underserved girls through travel experiences and access to women leaders.

Lindsay Hamilton will be stepping into O’Connell’s role as Chief of Staff at the Center for American Progress. Hamilton has spent the past two years as the Director of Media Strategy at CAP. She came to CAP from Capitol Hill, where she served as communications director for Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY). During the 2010 election cycle, she was the campaign manager for Steve Israel for Congress. She started her career on Capitol Hill in the office of Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and at ABC News.

“I’m excited that Lindsay will be taking on this new role,” Tanden said. “She has helped ensure CAP is at the center of the national debate of ideas and will do great work to strengthen the organization as my Chief of Staff.”

For more information, contact Maddie Meth at mmeth@americanprogress.org or 202.741.6277.